In this Issue

International Opportunities: Why Asia? Why not?

by Catherine D'Auteuil, CIE Coordinator of Student Programs

"Yet on the verge of the new pacific century most Americans remain woefully ignorant of this strong and growing pacific relationship, our own contribution to it and the history behind it."
- F. Gibney, The Pacific Century: America and Asia in a Changing World

Imagine yourself in a new country navigating sights, sounds and culture, an exciting opportunity to live and learn in a continent that is strongly connected to the United States.

Nationally, students have not seen Asia as a viable option for a study abroad experience, as illustrated in The Institute for International Education Open Doors report for the 2004/2005 academic year. It shows that 6,574 (8.1%) of US students studied abroad in Asia compared to 124,326 (60.4%) who studied in Europe. These figures are a stark reminder that the need for students of this generation to build global relationships and learn more about the Asian continent is highly important.

At the Center for International Education (CIE) we recognize the significance of Asian-American relations and promote language study in Chinese and Japanese. It is possible to pursue these languages here on campus, abroad and as a foreign language requirement for the International Affairs dual major.

The UNH Asian Studies minor combines the study of language, society, political and economic systems as well as the Asian experience in the United States. For detailed information about teaching faculty and course offerings, please visit: http://www.unh.edu/asian-studies/.

UNH students have studied mainly in China, Japan and Vietnam at such institutions as the Beijing Language Culture University with the American Institute for Foreign Study, the Beijing program with the Knowledge Exchange Institute (China) and Kansai Gaidai University (Japan). To learn more about the study abroad process and opportunities, visit our website www.unh.edu/cie.

Scholarships to study in Asia are available through a number of organizations including the Freeman Asia Program, the National Security Education Program (NSEP), the National Security Language Initiative, the Taiwan-United States Sister Relations Alliance, and the Japan Student Services Organization. CIE staff are available to discuss these opportunities with students. Please visit our office in Hood House for more information.